French Silk Brownies

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For an easy to make at home dessert that tastes like it came from a restaurant, make these wonderful chocolate French Silk Brownies. Brownies made with read butter, topped with a creamy whipped French silk chocolate layer and then Cool Whip–this decadent treat will really hit the spot!

French Silk Pie Brownies

French Silk Brownies

Whenever you need a great dessert for dinner with friends, a potluck, a special occasion treat, or for just about any other reason, think of these French Silk Pie Brownies. This is one of those go-to recipes that is totally no-fail and incredibly delicious.

Rich, chocolate desserts abound! Here are some more of our favorites: Chocolate Ganache Cheesecakes | Triple Chocolate Banana Bread | Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes | Chocolate Cosmic Cake

The Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make the French Silk Pie Brownies recipe (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the printable recipe card):

  • Boxed brownie mix
  • Egg
  • Unsalted butter
  • Milk
  • Semi sweet chocolate bar – I like to use Baker’s Chocolate bar, found in the baking aisle of the grocery store.
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Cool Whip – You can use brand name Cool Whip or store brand whipped topping.

ingredients to make French Silk Pie Brownies

How to Make French Silk Brownies

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 11×7-inch (2 quart) glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, egg, melted butter, and milk, stirring until smooth.

brownie batter in a bowl

Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake at 350F for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

brownie batter in a baking dish

Remove the brownies from the oven and cool completely to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.

In a small microwave safe bowl, heat the semi-sweet chocolate and unsalted butter in 30 second intervals until melted, stirring well between each cooking interval.

Add the melted chocolate and butter mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir until well combined. Gently fold in the Cool Whip.

stirring chocolate sauce into cream cheese

Spread the French silk layer over the cooled brownies.

adding the layer of French silk filling

Spread on the remaining 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip.

adding Cool Whip to the top of the brownies

If desired, sprinkle chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips over the French Silk Brownies.

finished French Silk Pie Brownies in a pan

Slice the brownies into 12 squares to serve.

French Silk Pie Brownies

Substitutions

Chocolate Chips – Instead of chocolate shavings you can sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top of the dessert.

Homemade Brownies – If you have a favorite homemade brownie recipe, you can make your own brownies as the base.

Whipped Cream – Instead of Cool Whip, you can use homemade whipped cream for the French silk layer and to top the dessert.

slice of French Silk Pie Brownies on a white plate

How to Store Leftovers

Keep the leftover brownies in an airtight food storage container or in the pan covered with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze this dessert for up to three months before serving.

pan of French Silk Pie Brownies with a slice taken out

More Recipes You Will Enjoy

French Silk Brownies
5 from 137 votes

French Silk Brownies

For an easy to make at home dessert that tastes like it came from a restaurant, make these wonderful chocolate French Silk Brownies. Brownies made with real butter, topped with a creamy whipped French silk chocolate layer and then Cool Whip--this decadent treat will really hit the spot!
Servings: 12
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

Brownies

  • 1 box brownie mix (not prepared)
  • 1 egg
  • 5 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1/4 cup milk

French Silk Layer

Topping

  • 8 ounce Cool Whip
  • chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 11x7-inch (2 quart) glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, egg, melted butter, and milk, stirring until smooth. Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake at 350F for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Remove the brownies from the oven and cool completely to room temperature.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined.
  • In a small microwave safe bowl, heat the semi-sweet chocolate and unsalted butter in 30 second intervals until melted, stirring well between each cooking interval.
  • Add the melted chocolate and butter mixture to the cream cheese mixture and stir until well combined. Gently fold in the Cool Whip.
  • Spread the French silk layer over the cooled brownies, then spread on the remaining 8 ounce tub of Cool Whip.
  • If desired, sprinkle chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips over the French Silk Brownies. Slice and serve.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 52g | Vitamin A: 482IU | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 2mg

Categories:

French Silk Pie Brownies on Pinterest5

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69 comments on “French Silk Brownies”

  1. Katelyn Syfrit

    5 stars
    Made a small 8×8 pan but still looks and tastes amazing. Me and my twin video called so we could both make it together since she lives far away.

  2. 5 stars
    This was excellent! I found with an 11X7″ pan of brownies, that there was too much filling for the pan, so next time I will make a 13×9″ pan of brownies and that should be a perfect ratio. Will definitely make again. Thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    I made this dessert for a group birthday party and it was a big hit. Even leftovers sent home with one of our guests got a rave review from the friend’s teenager. Already shared it with others. Thank you so much for such a delicious recipe.

  4. Has anyone used a bittersweet chocolate chip instead of milk chocolate in the topping? In recipes I always substitute Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chips for milk chocolate. Works perfectly. They are the perfect sweetness, especially if other ingredients are sweet, as these are. Opinions?

    1. So glad to read your suggestion since Ghirardelli’s 60% chocolate chips is what I also use! I will definitely try this recipe with just that change! I will report back with how it goes over with my husband and grandkids.

  5. 5 stars
    Delicious and easy! Better than trying to bring brownies and ice cream and keep everything frozen! Thank you!

  6. This is very good and easy. However, baking the brownie layer for 28 minutes is way too long. I baked it for 17 min and that was still too long. I would recommend 10-12 min since it is so thin. Also, I used only 1cup if confectioners sugar and it was plenty sweet.

  7. Donna Fleming

    Can I use more whipped topping instead of cream cheese. I am one of the few people that can’t stand the taste of cream cheese. My husband hates it, too. I think that this would be wonderful if I could make it without cream cheese.

    1. Hi Donna. I haven’t tried that with this recipe, but I think it would work fine with that substitution and still taste great. Let us know if you try that.

  8. 5 stars
    This is a RICH chocolate dessert and delicious. I made our family’s favorite brownie recipe for the base of this dessert.

  9. This looked so amazing, I decided to make it immediately it is now in the fridge waiting to set up a bit , can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing your recipe

  10. I would love to make this recipe but would like to make it in a bigger pan someone said they increased the French silk and topping by 1.5x could you tell me what exactly that means

    1. make the recipe as is then half the ingredients so say it calls for 1 cup of sugar. you would do 1 and a half cups of sugar. or for the Cream cheese. its 8 oz. so it would be 12 oz. just take the ingredient and add half more. if its 3tsp, you would add the 3 then 1 1/2. (which is 50% of 3).

  11. 5 stars
    Made this for (my own) Mothers’ Day dinner and dessert with the grown kids. They loved it! My daughter then roped me into saying that if that is what she wants for her birthday treat, that’s what I’ll make. Lol. It is delicious and decadent.

  12. I need to use a gluten free brownie mix. Should I make as directed on the box or still use your ingredients listed?

    1. Hi Randi. Use your GF mix in place of the brownie mix listed and use the same ingredients.

    2. Please let me know your thoughts using a GF brownie mix. Did it taste as good using the ingredients in the recipe?

  13. Great recipe! I have mad this 2 times, but used 9X13 pan using 1 box brownie mix but 1.5 X the chocolate silk & topping ingredients. The first time I used a Pyrex glass pan, and there was not enough room to use all the topping, so the 2nd time I used a 9X13 metal pan (USA brand) with higher sides and it was perfect. I dusted top with Sweet Cocoa Powder. Each time I took it to a potluck and received multiple compliments and requests for recipe. Fabulous elegant dessert.

    1. did you have to adjust the cooking time for the brownie layer? I got all the ingredients to make this and then realized that the only pan I have is 9×13 and not 11×7

  14. 5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! I used a sugar-free brownie mix and it was still delicious. What I thought I could only find in a restaurant, I can now make at home! Thanks for the recipe.

  15. When you specify “not prepared” for the brownie mix, what do you mean? I’m not sure which brownie mix to use

  16. 5 stars
    Easy and delicious-a winning combination! I like to shave the cholcoate for the top as it is more elegant!

    1. If you used gluten free brownie mix you should be ok. Double check the other ingredients before making though.

  17. 5 stars
    May 29, 2022 – I made this recipe. I scaled the recipe up (1.5) to fill a 9″x13″ pan and, since I’m in Denver, I used my favorite high altitude brownie recipe. This recipe is awesome!! I will totally be making this for barbeques / picnics we get invited to. Wonderful!! Thank you for the recipe! Oh and one other adjustment – I made a base cookie layer under the brownies.

  18. 5 stars
    This recipe is a keeper! I made this for a get together with friends that was canceled so I put it in the freezer for 3-4 weeks well wrapped in plastic wrap. I thawed it out and took it the next time we could get together. We all loved it and couldn’t believe how moist the brownies were and how good it tasted! We were licking our plates clean! I will definitely be making it again! Thank you for the delicious recipe!

  19. 5 stars
    Just a clarification on the pan size. A 2 qt pan is an 8” x 8” pan not an 11” x 17”. One regular size box of brownies would be spread too thin. 

    1. Hildie J McIntyre

      Thank you because the recipe above has a typo of 11×7 and I was having a really hard time finding a pan like that. But just use an 8×8 makes more sense.

    2. I used to own an 11″x7″ pan, so I didn’t think it was a typo. Interestingly, my first time making this, I scaled it up to a 9″x13″, which I calculated to be basically 1.5, and I used a brownie recipe for a 9″x13″ pan. Maybe the original recipe as written is to have a thinner brownie layer.

  20. Mary Tasillo

    5 stars
    My husband made this dessert for a meeting I was going to – needless to say everyone thought it was awesome. 

  21. Sara Dickinson

    5 stars
    I made these they are super yummy however I would just make the brownies as the box directed. A new favorite for entertaining!

  22. Debbie Montavy

    5 stars
    Hi Jill,
    Your French Silk Brownies are delicious!! I followed your recipe 100% and my family LOVED them. I will most definitely make them again.
    Please tell your awesome three sons, they are sooooo good! Next, I plan to put together other of your delicious recipes!
    Debbie

    1. janice firkus

      I made this recipe and it was very good. Needed to substitute with a chocolate fudge cake mix and just added 1 extra egg and a little more milk 1/4 cup. Turned out great. Love it.